Rigid-prong self-closing binder



Nov. 26, 1963 .1. K. DUNCAN ETAI.A 3,111,949

RIGID-PRONG SELF-CLOSING BINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Deo. 8. 1958 Nov.26, 1963 v J. K. DUNCAN ETAL 3,111,949

lmam-PROM; SELF-CLOSING BINDER Filed Dec. 8. 1958 4 sheets-sheet 2mesXur-zcar? Nov. 26, 1963 J. K. DUNCAN ETAI. 3,111,949

RIGID-PRONG SELF-CLOSING BINDER Filed Dec. 8. 1.958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Nov.r26, 1963 J. K. DUNCAN ETAL 3,111,949

R/IGID-PRONG SELF-CLOSING BINDER Filed Dec. 8. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Inder-ibr- United States Patent O 3,111,949 RIGID-PRDNG SELF-CLOSINGBINDER James K. Duncan, 909 S. Courtland Ave., and Edward W.OShaughnessy, 1112 S. Home Ave., both of Park Ridge, Ill.

Filed Dec. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 778,804 1 Claim. (Cl. 129-24) Our inventionrelates to an improved rigid-prong seifclosing binder.

In countless lields it is desired to have the means tor holding aplurality of sheets together in ta permanent or semi-permanent form.innumerable .different devices have been made for performing this task.In many of the applications the ability to readily remove or insertsheets is desired, or the ability to open the sheets out dat torinspection while still in the binder fcan be of particular importance.An example of a device for these purposes is the well-known loose-leafring binder.

While many of these different devices that have been developed in thepast continue to satisfy many needs there have fbeen pressures todevelop a lower cost binder that would serve the same purposes, yetbecause of its lesser cost 'could be used `for applications where itwould be prohibitive to use -a ring binder, tor example. The improvingof the appearance and providing a modern appearance has been stressedIby existing and prospective users. The use of binders for calendars orsmall, inexpensive, catalogs or salesmens books would -be examples offields rfrom which :such pressures have come. This is not to imply,however, that in all ofthe applications for which ring binders or thelike have been used in the past the user would not be pleased to have aless expensive more attractive item available to do the same Ijob.

In an effort to satisfy these demands various forms of plastic bindershave been developed. One form employs a llarge number of relativelyflexible plastic lingers. This form has the disadvantage that thebinders are not easy to open `and close; special machines being requiredfor the purpose. The 4average small user .does no-t have access to suchspecial'machines. This limits his ability to change the pages.

Another form that has much the same disadvantages is the `continuousspiral plastic or wire binder.

The principal object lof our invention is to provide a binding unit thatcombines Iall the best features and advantages found separately in thesevarious prioi art devices. Our unit has the simplicity |and ease ofoperation of the well-known ring binders. Normal finger pressure on apair of operating members, referred to hereinafter as rockable members,Will yopen the rings for the insertion or removal of pages. Inapplications where this may be done often a latch maybe provide-d tohold the rings open to facilitate the `changing of pages. In otherappli-cations where the binding is intended to be relatively permanentwith `only infrequent opening, if any, means m-ay be provided .to -besure that the rings are not opened accidentally. Another alternative forsuch permanent type binders that may be used with the present dev-ice isto construct them so that the pressure required to open them is greaterthan that which may be obtained by a normal finger pressure (i.e.necessitating the use of apparatus to obtain the force necessary to openthem). A further feature of our invention is that the point along thelength of rings a-t which the rings open may be varied to suit the needsof the user yfor the particular application.

Our invention obtains the attractive modern appearance that may beachieved with the use ot plastics. Bright attractive colors tareobtained tas in fthe `case of other plastic items Without the necessityfor paints, etc. The binder may be made with only a few or a largenumber of hold- 3,1 l 1,949 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 ice ing rings to suitthe particular requirements. The simplicity with which this may be donewith our invention is particularly important. With the preferredembodiments where the rings are milled or otherwise cut from a tube likepiece it does no-t even require additional manuiacturing operations toincrease the number Ioi rings since one or a multiplicity of rings maybe cut in a single operation. ln some embodiments the number Iof rings,or the prongs that make up the rings, may be varied by the user afterthe 4binder has been manufactured.

Another advantage is the matter of `cost reduction. Not only is thematerial cost low Ibut the devices can be turned out in tremendousquantities by automatic extruding machines involving little or nomanipulation by expensive skilled operators. No assembly of formed partsis required, but, as hereinafter discussed, for certain specialembodiments parts may be formed on individual machines and subsequentlyassembled if lsuch a structure is desired. In this respect one of theadvances achieved .by our invention is that the `form of the bindingunit is so readily adaptable for modification to meet specialrequirements of manufacturers or users.

The element of cost reduction is implemented by the fact that only tasingle unit lneed be produced on a machine to produce a fully operativebinder. The single piece `binding unit does not require any additionalparts which would not only be an added cost but would also requirepacking, checking, etc., to insure that a customer hada complete unit.

Previously, it had been suggested that a ring type binder be formedwhich might be said to bear a supercial resemblance to the presentinvention. Upon closer inspection as revealed by the subsequent specilicdisclosures it will be apparent that this resemblance is onlysuperficial and that the type of unit We have devised is delinitelypatentably distinct from anything known to the art. An important`distinction lies in the fact that with our device no separate partssuch as a slide or the like is necessary -to close the rings ot thebinder and to hold them in that position so that the papers will beretained therein. One of the prior vart devices used a separate pant inthe nature of a slide `for this purpose. This can prove to be cumbersometo use because it requires a separate operation, and, in addition, theslide can stick or jam in the ways therefor requiring vadditionalmanipulation. With our device `only a release of the pressure applied toopen the rings is necessary to close them.

An additional important distinction between our invention `and certainother prior tart devices resides in the fact that no part of the binderis tensioned or under a distorting stress when the binder rings areclosed. In some prior art devices this is not Ithe case but portionsthereof were stressed when the binder was closed (and in some instancesalso when it was opened). Many plastics will tend to creep and take aset or permanent deformation when ya stress is applied thereto for longperiods yof time. Such condition is likely to be aggravated by heat orsunlight. Since the binder usually is closed for by far the majority ofthe time deformation was likely to occur when the plastic from which itwas made was stressed when the binder 'was closed. With our inventionthe parts of the binder will be stressed only when the binder is open.Since this normally will occur only Ifor a relatively short period oftime and for only a small fraction of the usable life of the binder thelikelihood of permanent deformation is negligible even if plastics areused which yare of the type subject to this problem.

Another advantage of our invention is that While -for most applicationsa binding unit of plastic 'will be employed the unit is not limited -tobe manufactured of that material. It may be made wholly of metal orpartially of metal and partially of plastic. This permits the utmostlatitude in providing a manufacturing process that would be mostsuitable for a particular set of circumstances.

Further in accordance with the present invention, and as an objectthereof, we contemplate by the present invention to provide an improvedrigid prong type binder having a pair of spaced rockable membersconnected by a resiliently deformable member and together carrying theprongs, the deformable member having sufficient rigidity to hold Itheprongs closed while at the same time permitting the prongs to be openedby application of squeeze to the outboard portions of the rockablemembers.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is perspective view of a ring type binder embodying the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial section through an alternate form of abinding unit;

FIGURE 3 is a section of the binding unit of FIGURE 2 but shown in openposition;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are sections through a different alternate form ofbinding unit shown in the closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are sections through another alternate form of thebinding uni-t shown in the closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURE v8 is a section through the binding unit of FIGURE 1 as viewedalong line 8 8;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional View of the binding unit of FIGURE 8 in openposition;

FIGURES 10 and 1-1 are sections through a further alternate form of thebinding unit in closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES -12 and 13 are sections through an additional alternate form ofbinding unit in closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES y14 and l5 are sections through alternate form of binding unit'in closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 16 and 17 are sections through another alternate form of bindingunit in closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 18 and 19 are sections through a still further alternateembodiment in closed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 20 and 21 are sections of another alternate embodiment in closedand open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 22 and 23 are sections through an alternate form in closed andopen positions, respectively;

FIGURES 24 and 25 are sections through a further alternate form inclosed and open positions, respectively;

FIGURES 26 and 27 are sections through another alternate form in closedand open positions, respectively;

FIGURE 28 is an enlarged end View of slide (in position in a binder)used for identification and other purposes with various of theembodiments, as for example, the embodiments of FIGURES l through 3; and

FIGURE 29 is a perspective view of the slide illustrated in FIGURES 28.

The rigid-ring type binding unit of our invention comprises a pair ofspaced rigid rockable members. The ring (or rings) extends betweencorrespondingly positioned edges of the two rockable members and isattached to said edge of one or both of the rockable members. At somepoint intermediate the edges of the rockable members is a slot throughthe ring. While the slot is normally closed it provides the point atwhich the ring is opened for the insertion or removal of sheets. Theslot may be at any point between a line of juncture between the end of aring and one of the rockable members to the corresponding point at theother end of the ring. -T he particular shape of the slot Iisunimportant and it may be varied to suit the needs of particularapplications.

The two rockable members are joined by a deformable member or web. IItis particularly important in connection with our invention that thisdeformable member have suiiicient body and rigidity to prevent a linearmovement of one rockable lmember towards `the other rockable member andto hold the ring closed as it does in its normal relaxed, undeformedposition. At the same time the deformable member must be elasticallydeformable so that the rockable members may be pivoted about it with theportions of the rockable member to the side opposite that side on whichthe rings are fixed approaching each other with .the opposite sides ofthe rockable members turning away from each other to open the ring. Theresiliency of the deformable member should cause that member to returnto its original undeformed position when the pressure causing suchpivotal movement is removed whereby the deformable member results in aclosing of the rings.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a ring bound booklet, thebooklet being indicated generally by the number 30 and the ring binderof our invention being indicated generally by the number 31. In theillustrated embodiment the booklet 30 consists of a pair of covers 32and 33 having a plurality of holes 34 adjacent the edge thereof. Betweenthe covers are a plurality of sheets or pages 35 having similar sets ofholes therethrough.

The exact conformation of binding unit 31 would depend upon theparticular application involved. It might be selected from a number ofvarious alternative embodiments hereinafter described or a combinationof features of more than one of them. For purposes of illustration itwill be assumed that binding unit 31 is that unit shown in cross-sectionin FIGURES 8 and 9. As is there illustrated the binder 31 comprises apair of rockable members 37 and 38 which are joined by a deformable web39. The length and width of rockable members 37 and 38 will bedetermined by the particular application but they should be rigid sothat a linger pressure on the rockable members at a point intermediatethe longitudinal ends thereof will serve to open all of the rings of thebinder. Members 37 and 38 have edges 40 and 41 along which are mounted aplurality of pairs of prongs 42 and 43, respectively. Prongs 42 and 43have mating V-shaped ends which form a slot 44 in the ring formed bythetwo prongs, 42 and 43.

Rockable members 37 and 38 have portions 46 and 47, respectively,extending to the opposite side of web 39 from the sides to which prongs42 and 43 are secured. A matched pair of slots or ways 48 and 49 areformed in adjacent parts of portions 46 and 47 to receive a slide 50Side 50 can be used for one or more several purposes. It may serve as acarrier for bearing labeling of identification indicia. It also may beused as a guard to prevent the binding unit from being accidentallyopened, or, as described in connection with FIGURE 10, it might be usedas a hanger attachment when the binder and booklet were to be supportedvertically such as hanging from a wall.

Web 39 is a deformable member which in its normal undeformed conditionholds the binder in the position illustrated in FIGURES l and 8. Thematerial and structure thereof should be sufficiently strong to preventa linear movement of the rocking members 37 and 38 toward each other (amovement along a line parallel to edges 40 and 41, for example, orparallel to slide 50). At the same time it should be capable of beingbent to permit a pivotal movement of the rockers as described. It shouldhave suicient resiliency to return to its original undeformed positionwhen the pressure producing the rocking movement is released so that thebinder rings are thereby closed.

It is important to note in this respect that slide 50 is not used toforce the binder rings closed. It is merely inserted after the ringshave been closed to prevent their accidental opening or for otherreasons, as previously mentioned herein. This feature is importantbecause in use the slide 50 does not put any deforming pressures on theweb 39 or other members. Furthermore, the insertion of slide 50 isgreatly facilitated if the binder unit has been returned to the positionillustrated in FIGURE 8 by the action of deformable member 39 before anyattempt is made to insert slide 5t).

To open the binder rings slide 5t? is first removed, if such a slide isbeing used, and then pressure is applied to portions 46 and 47 ofrocking members 37 and 38, this pressure being applied to the outsideface of each rockable member in the direction towards the other of therockable members. As a result of this pressure web 39 is deformed withthe two rockable members 37 and 38 being pivoted about the web to assumea position substantially that illustrated in FIGURE 9. It will be notedthat the rear inside corners 51 and 52 of the rockable members serve asstops or buers to prevent any excess deformation of web 39. The pivotalmovement thus achieved turns edges 49 and 4I away from each otherthereby spreading the prongs 42 and 43 that go to make up the ring. Theslot 44 formed by the end of the prongs opens to provide a substantialgap for the insertion or removal of the pages, covers, etc. When thechange of pages, etc. has been completed a release of pressure onportions 46 and 47 will allow web 39 to return to its undeformedposition at which point the prongs 42 and 43 again close to form acontinuous ring between edges 40 and 41. It is contemplated that abinder of the type just described would be formed by a continuousextrusion operation. The rockable members 37 and 3S, web 39, and theportions from which prongs 42 and 43 are cut would be extruded through asuitably shaped die. The material would be selected to meet therequirements of the particular application and, for example, could be avinyl plastic, polystyrene, butyrate, polyethylene plastic, etc. Asextruded the portions from which prongs 42 and 43 are formed would besemi-tubes having a cross-sectional conguration of the same appearanceas that of the prongs 42 and 43 as seen in FIGURES 8 and 9. Immediatelyupon extrusion these semi-tubes would be separated, much in the samefashion as the prongs are separated in FIGURE 9, but while the plasticwas soft and before it had set, the semi-tubes would be closed, as bycamming, to the position of FIGURE 8 in which position the plastic wouldset. Thus the web 39 would have an unstressed and undeformed conditionin the FIG- URE 8 position. Subsequently the portions of the semitubesintermediate the prongs 42 and 43 would be cut away, as, for example, bya milling operation, to form the prongs. The continuous strip formed bythe extrusion would be cut to the desired binder length either before orafter the prong forming operation. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art that an automatic machine (or machines) could perform theentire binder forming operation Without human intervention.

It shoul-d be remembered that the drawings are merely illustrative andthat no weight should be -given to the relative cross-sectionaldimensions since these will vary with the material used, theapplication, etc. The irnportant factor is that the rocking members andthe prongs (or ring formi-ng means) be relatively rigid while the web beresiliently deformable to the extent hereinbefore outlined.

FIGU-RES 2 and 3 illustrate ian embodiment having somewhat dierentfeatures than that described in connection with FIGURES 8 and 9. In thisembodiment the two rocker members 56 and 57 have two edges S3 and 59,respectively, between which is the ring 60. In this case one end of thering is secured to edge -59 while the other end `61 is rounded to meetwith edge 58 which is of a dished configuration to form a slot in Ithecomplete ring for the insertion and removal of pages. The two rockablemembers 56 and 57 are joined by a web or deformable member 62. The ends63 of deformable mem- 6 ber `d2 are relatively thin with respect to theremainder of the member. Such a construction permits the rockablemembers to pivot about the ends of the deformable member to provide amaximum iopening 'of the ring.

Within rockable members 56 and 57 are slots l64 which are somewhatenlarged as compared to the size of the throats `65 of the slots. Theslots serve to hold covers 66. The ends of covers `65 are bent int-oU-shaped coniiguration to provide a hook 67 thereon. The roundedU-shaped end can be readily pushed through throat 65 but once in placethe hook 67 on the covers eng-ages the hook 68 resulting from thedifference in size between the slot 64 and throat '65 so as to securelyhold the covers in place in the rockable members. At the rearward end ofthe rockable members :are grooves 70 and 71 below which lie slots 72.Rocker members 56 and 57 are provided with ways 73 Ito receive a slide74. The matched pair Iof inner projections `on rocker members 56 and 57serve as bumpers to limit the opening `of the rings.

When slide 74 is removed and pressure is applied along grooves 70 tobend the web `52 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 the edges S8and 59 'are pivoted apart to lopen the ring 6i? for the insertion andremoval of pages through the .gap provided between edge 5S and end y61of the r-i-ng. rI'he pressure on grooves 70 also se-rves to collapseslot 72 and open the throats `65 of slots 64, as illustrated in FIGURE3. Thus when the binder has been opened by such a pressure not only may4the sheets 35 be readily removed and replaced ion ring 69 but also theinsertion or removal of covers '66' may be made very easily.

It has been previously pointed out that the ring of our inventionextends from one yof these 'faces to the other. This embodimentillustrates the fact that the slot providing an opening for the ring maybe immediately at the juncture of the ring with the edge as well as atsome other point in the ring as described elsewhere herein.

FIGURES 28 and 2:9 illustrate one form in which slide 74 may be formed.As 'will be seen one end lof the slide is tapered as at 77 to facilitatethe insertion or" the slide 714 into Iways 73 while the other end of theslide has a bent tab forming a cap 78. Cap 78 n-ot only serves as ahandle lfor the insertion and removal iof the slide but also gives apleasing appearance .(as will be seen on the slide pictured in FIGURE 1)and will be used, when desired, to carry identifying indicia withrespect to the material contained in the binder. Such indicia can alsobe put on the back of the slide as illustrated in FIGURE 29, in whichposition the indicia will be observable along fthe spine of the binder.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate another f-o-rrn of the binding unit having apair of rock-able members 80 and 81 and connected by a web 82. As inFIGURES 2 and 3 the ring 83 is attached to edge S4 of rockable member 81and terminates at edge 85 of rockable member S0. l However, in thisembodiment edge 85 lforms a deeper socket for end 86 of ring 83 than wasthe case with respect to the embodiment of FIGURES 2 an-d 3. In additionend 86 is wider than the socket formed by edge I55 with a small tia-t S7being formed on end Stv to fit about the tlat portion of edge 85adjacent said socket. Another variation illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGURES 4 and 5 is in the configuration of -web 8K2. Here the web is notdished to the same extent as was the Iweb 39, FIGURE 8, nor is itcompletely straight as was web 62 or" FIGURE 2.

FIGURES y6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment which the rockablemembers 89 and 90 have edges 91 and 92, respectively, between which ring93 extends, Iwhich is substantially the same structure as that describedin connection with ring 6G, illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Each oftherockable members has a hooked slot 914 to hold covers 95 and ways 96 tohold slide 97. lBehind slide 97 are bumpers 98. External .grooves 99 areprovided @for facilitating the application of pressure to the rockablemembers. Means, such as grooves 99, for engaging the rockable members isparticularly desirable when the deformable member is particularly stiffso that the pressure is applied by an apparatus rather than by anindividuals hand. -Each rockable member has an internal recess 100.Deformable web y101 is used to connect rockable members 89 and 90.

When slide 97 is removed and pressure applied to grooves 99 web 101delects to open ring 93. At the same time the rockable members tend tocollapse abou-t recesses 100 as will be seen by reference to IFIGURE 7.This collapsing is -the most pronounced as bumpers 98 contact eachother. The collapsing about recesses 160 opens slots 94 to facilitatethe insertion and removal of the covers 95 there-from. When pressurealong grooves 99 is released the covers 95 are locked in place in slots94 and ring 93 closes, all through the action of the rockable membersand the web returning to their original undeformed positions,

FIGURES and 11 illustrate an embodiment in which the rockable members105 and 106 have edges 107 and 108. Ring 109 is secured to edge 108 withend 110 of ring 109 meeting ush with edge 107 of rocker member 105. Therocker members are connected by a web 111 and have ways 112 therein toreceive a slide 113. In this embodiment slide 113 is formed of metal andhas a hanger 114 thereon Yto which is secured means (not shown) forhanging the ring binder on a wall hook or the like. When slide 113 iswithdrawn and pressure applied to the outer faces of rocker members 105and 106, web 111 deforms to open the ring 109 as illustrated in FIGURE11.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 12 and 13 the rockable members 117 and 118each have a prong 119 and 120, respectively, projecting therefrom. Theprojecting ends of prongs 119 and 120, have mating faces to meet andform a slot 121. The rearward portions of rockable members 117 and 118have ridges 122 and 123 respectively thereon. These ridges serve thesame purpose as the grooves illustrated at a similar position in some ofthe previously described embodiments, namely, the providing of means bywhich the rockers may be engaged to facilitate opening the binder,whether the binder is to be opened by the force of a persons ngers or bythe force supplied by a mechanical piece of equipment. In thisembodiment one of the rockable members has a semi-circular groove 124the length of the member in which groove is received the tubular edge125 of a labeling ap 126. Flap 126 has a pair of mating l'ways 127 toreceive and hold a paper labeling strip or the like. Of course, ap 126would be made from clear plastic so that the indicia appearing on thelabeling strip would be apparent from the spine of the binder. 'Iherocker members 117 and 118 are connected by deformable elastic web 128which bends as illustrated in FIGURE 13 When pressure is applied to therearward portion of the rocker members which portions are represented bythe ridges 122 and 123, and it will be apparent this action serves toopen the ring represented by prongs 119 and 120.

FIGURES 14 and 15 illustrate an extremely simple embodiment forachieving many of the same purposes as some of 4the previously describedembodiments. In this embodiment a pair of rockable lmembers 131 and 132are connected by the web 133. Edges 134 and 135 of rocker members 132and 131 respectively are connected by ring means consisting of the ring136 attached to edge 134 and a stub 137 connected to edge 135. Theadjacent ends of ring 136 and stub 137 form a slot 138 which is normallyclosed when web 133 is in the undeformed position illustrated in FIGURE14. When pressure is applied to the rearward portions of rocker members131 and 132 to deform `the web 133 as illustrated in FIGURE 15 the slot138 is opened for the insertion and removal of papers.

FIGURES 16 and 17 illustrate a further alternative embodiment. In thisembodiment rocker members 140 and 141 are connected by a web 142. A back143 is connected to the rearward portion of rocker 140 and has a recess144 to receive and hold labeling identification as might be placed on`the card 145. In this embodiment the web 142, rockers and 141 and back143 would normally be formed as a single unit as by means of anextrusion of plastic material. After forming a sawcut would be made at146 to separate the back 143 from the rocker member 141.

Either during the molding or in the subsequent milling operation a pairof longitudinal grooves would be cut along faces 147 and 148 of rockermembers 140 and 141, respectively. While the shape of the grooves maytake one of the number of forms, in the illustrated embodiment thegrooves have an enlarged rounded inner portion 149 and a smaller neckportion 150. The ring is formed of two prongs 151 and 152 which havematching ends to form a slot 153 in the ring. The other end of each ofprongs 151 and 152 have a ball shaped retainer portion 154 connected tothe remainder of the prong by a neck 155. The size of ball shapedportion 154 is matched to size of slot 149 and the size of neck 155 isrelated to the size of the neck of the groove 150. Prongs 151 and 152may be positioned with respect to the remainder of the binding unit bythe friction of this ball and socket mounting in conjunction with thepositioning effect of the pages which will be provided by the ringspassing through the spaced perforations of the pages. This sort ofstructure will enable the user to change the number or position of ringsin the binding unit to accommodate his changing needs. In otherinstances the rings may be xedly positioned with respect to theremainder of the binding unit by employing an adhesive to secure therings in position to make the ball and socket mounting immovable afterit has been once fixed in place.

As in the previously described embodiments when the rocker members arepivoted about web 142 the two portions 151 and 152 that go to make upthe ring will pivot to the position illustrated in FIGURE 17 forinsertion and removal of papers from the binding unit.

FIGURES 18 and 19 illustrate a further embodiment particularly suited toa simple single piece molding operation. Here the rocker members 147 and148 are connected by a web 149 and, as molded, by a backing member.After the molding operation the backing member is divided into twoportions, one portion secured to rocker 147 and a second portion 161secured to rocking member 148. This is done by making a sawcut 162through the backing member. On the inner side of rockable member 148 isan abutment 163 which cooperates with portion 160 of the back to formstops to limit the extent to which the ring can be opened as illustratedin FIGURE 19.

In this embodiment ring means may be formed as a unitary part of therockable members during the molding operation. Herein the ring meanscomprises a ring 164 and a stub 165 secured to faces 166 and 167 ofrockable members 148 and 147, respectively. `When molded portions 164and 165 would be a continuous tube formed as an extending part of therockable member. Subsequently the portions of this tube between therings would be milled out to form rings, and a slot 168 would be cut toseparate the ring 164 from stub 165.

FIGURES 20 and 21 illustrate an embodiment wherein the binding unitcould be formed of two plastic pieces `and a third metal piece. The webof deformable member 170 is of metal and has a ange l171 and 172 at eachend thereof. Rockable members i173 and 174 are rigid and could be formedof plastic or of metal. I-n either event rockable members 173 and 174have grooves 175 and 176 respectively formed therein to receive and holdflanges 17-1 and 172, respectively, of deformable member 170. Rockermember 174 curves inwardly to form a back portion 177 with a hook `178therein. Cooperating hook `179 is formed as an extension of rockablemember 173. Hooks 178 and `179 are normally spaced somewhat apart asillustrated in FIGURE 20. However,

when the rockable members have been tipped toward each other asillustrated in FIGURE 21 the two hooks will engage to hold the ringsseparated as shown in that iigure. Prion-gs "1801 and 181 extend fromrockable members 173 and -174 respectively to -form a ring means betweenedges 182 and 183, respectively, of those rockable members. Prongs 180and 181 may be made to overlap as illustrated in FIGURE 20 or the endsthereof might be abutting. In either event the two ends will deline aslot in the ring means which slot is opened when the web 1170 isdeformed to the position illustrated in the FIGURE 2l by the pivoting ofthe rocker members thereabout. When hooks 178 and i179 are disengagedweb- 170 will return to its undeformed position illustrated in FIGURE 20with the ring means then being closed.

FIGURES 22 and 23 illustrate an embodiment in which the rocker members185 and 186, the web' 4187 and the back 188 being molded as Ithe unitarypiece. Subsequently a saw cut is made at 189 to separate the back 188from rockable member 186. Rockable member 186 has a groove at 190 moldedtherein which `groove forms a hook when the back 188 is separated lfromrockable member 186. When the saw cut 19.1 is made, -a hook is formed atIthe inner side of back 188. Upon the rockable members 185 and .186-being pivoted towards each other about web .187 these two hooks engageto hold the ring open as illustrated in yFIGURE 23.

In this embodiment the ring means is formed initially as a tube alongthe side of rockable members .-185 and 186. Subsequently the portions ofthe tube between the ring means are milled away and a saw cu-t 192 ismade in the ring means to forma ring made up of two por-tions 193 land1914 extending from rockable members i185 and 186, respectively.

FIGURES 24 and 25 illustrate an embodiment formed of bent sheet metal.This embodiment has a pair of rockable members 197 and Y198 connected bya web 199. Between edges 200 and 2011 of rockable members 197 and 198,respectively, is -a ring 202, one end of which is secured to rock-ablemember 197 with the other end and edge 201 forming a slot i203 in thening means. A back piece 204 extends from rock-able member 198 and has alabeling groove 205 therein. Back 204 terminates in a hook 206 whichcooperates lwith the rear corner 207 of rockable member 197 to form alatch to hold the ring in the open position illustrated in FIGURE 25.When this latch is released web '199 returns to its u-ndeformed positionclosing the ring means so that the pages 35 are held therein.

Covers 208 have a plurality of keyhole slots (not shown) therein. Theslots are positioned to it over rings 202 to lock one of the covers inplace as illustrated :by the top cover 208 and FIGURE 24. Rocker 198 hasspaced slots cut therein to form binding posts 209 having the samealignment as rings 202. Binding posts 209 are then employed to hook thebottom cover |208 in place as illustrated in FIGURE 24.

FIGURES L26 and 27 illustrate another embodiment formed of sheet metalwherein one outside portion of the sheet is formed into back 211 withthe adjacent portion of the sheet fonrning rockable member 212. Theother outside portion of the sheet forms rockable member 213. lPortionsof the sheet immediate the two outside portions 2111-212 and 2|13 areslotted to yform bands which bands go to make web 214. Between theoutside portions of the sheet which go to make up rockable members 2112and 213 and adjacent (but not contiguous) the bands which go to make upweb 214 prongs are c-ut, one prong 215 being an integral part andextending from rockable member 212 with the other prong 216 being anintegral part and extending from rockable member 213. 'Ihus the totallength of web *2114 is the same -as the combined lengths of prongs 215and 216 since they are all cut from the same intermediate portion of thesheet.

10 The outstanding ends off prongs |215 and 216 have matingconfigurations so `as to form a closed ring when the web 2114 is in itsundeformed condition as illustrated in 'FIG- URE 26. Upon pressure beingapplied to the rockable members 212 and 21=3 to deform web 214 theprongs are separated to open the ring for the insertion and removal 'ofpages, etc. Portions 217 and 218 of the web 214 form binding posts uponwhich keyhole type covers as have been discussed in connection withFIGURES 24 and 25 may be engaged.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments is for the purpose ofcomplying with 35 U.S.C. 1,12 and should not be construed as imposingunnecessary limitations on the appended claims inasmuch as it will beapparent to one skilled in the art lfrom the foregoing description thatnumerous modifications and alternative construction may be employedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claim. Forexample, mention was made of rockable members 4formed of relativelystiff material so that pressure -applied intermediate the ends wouldopen all of the rings of the binder. In some embodiments it would bedesirable to be able to open only Aone ring 4at a time. To accomplishthis the rocking members would be made less stiff so that pressure`applied to the members at a point opposite one ring would open onlythat ring with the portions of the members adjacent the other ringsremaining in the normal position at which the web is undeformed. Theterm relatively rigid as used herein with respect to the rockablemembers contemplates that the rockable members are suiciently rigid toopen a ring when the pressure is applied to the rockable member -at theside thereof immediately opposite said ring, but that that rockablemember is not necessarily sufficiently rigid to open all of theremaining rings of the binder when the pressure is so applied oppositeone ring.

The term modulus of deformation is used herein to express the extent ofthe flexure of a part when subjected to bending moment. 'I'he greaterthe modulus orf deformation, the 4greater the degree of bend under apredetermined applied moment. The term hook moment as used herein refersto the varying moment effective on the weby 82, FIGURE 5, for example,as the rockable menibers `are rocked in prong-opening movement. As in ahook, the value of this moment varies along the length of themoment-resisting members, that is, the rockable members and the web 82.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

A looseleaf binder unit 4for sheets having perforations adjacent oneedge, the unit comprising a pair of relatively rigid, normally parallel,spaced, elongated, rockable members, each having an `elongated edge incommon orientation with the elongated edge of the other; rigidinterrupted prongs extending between the elongated edge of one rockablemember and the elongated edge of the other rockable member, said prongsbeing adapted to pass through the perforations orf the sheets; aresiliently deformable member joined to said members adjacent saidedges, respectively, and extending in the lengthy direction thereof,said member in the relaxed condition sustaining said members inprong-closing position to retain sheets therein, said rockable membershaving handle portions extending away from said edges and in directionsgenerally normal to a pl-ane drawn between the lines of joinder of saiddeformable member to said rigid members, whereby application ofsqueezing pressure to said handle portions applies hook moment to saidresiliently defonmable member to open said prongs, the modulus ofdeformation of the resiliently deformable member being substantiallygreater than .the modulus of deformation of said rockable members,whereby the resiliently deformable member undergoes substantially all ofthe exure in response to squeezing pressure on the handle 1 1 portionsto provide substantial and effective prong-opening movement; andyreleasible latch means associated with the rockable members -to engagewhen the handle portions are squeezed to prong-opening position, saidlatch means comprising a 'hook part integral with one of said membersand a hook engaging part integral with the other member, the hook partbeing resiliently deformable out of engaging position to release said`members and close the prongs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gold etal. May 1, 1956 Killen Mar. 31, 1959 -Russo et al May 12, 1959 FOREIGNPATENTS Great Britain Mar. 21, 1910

